Doran chuckled as the woman seemed to lose what little fire she'd managed, her head sounding thick against the wooden table once more. "It might hurt less if you stopping banging it about like that." He offered, his amusement clear and seemingly unbothered by Val's state of mind. "There are times for action and times for respite - it is not pathetic to choose when to do which." He shrugged, though his companion certainly did not benefit from the gesture with her face pressed into the wood of the table as it was. "Some might even argue it wisdom."
Whatever Val wished to do, Doran wished her well. The riot would have started with or without them, of that he was certain, thus he felt absolutely no responsibility for what had unfolded. There was a sickness of sorts that hung about the streets of the city - something that had no herbal remedy nor god given cure. It had crept into the people, a molding fungus that had been seething just below the surface of the people's skin. That it had burst forth in such a way had been surprising but not unexpected. It had been a matter of when, not if, and though he had garnered several new bruises and gained an odd acquaintance, Doran was glad he'd been there to see it. Life was full of such strange turns of events; he was loathe to miss them, if possible.
"'High up'? You refer to the noble houses?" Several questions in succession, Doran chose to answer them in order, voice light and thoughtful. "I... believe so? All I hear are stories, mostly, as I'm hardly a noble myself, but from what I've heard they eat all manner of expensive and exquisite things, meat among them." He'd even heard of one of the Venoran lords feasting upon some beast known as an "elephant", whatever that was.
"I'm... not entirely sure what you mean by 'substitutes', but... yes, I believe there are people who make it a point of feeding the poor and needy. Though... I'm uncertain as to whether or not they provide soup? Gruel maybe?" Lowtown was rife with the unfortunate souls of those who had little means to get by, and though many in the city had been infected with the paranoia and fear that seemed to have swept through the city after the events of seasons past, there were still those who sought to share the light of their own kindness with others. "I'm afraid I don't know any specifics on the matter, though I imagine if you ask around it shouldn't be too difficult to find someone who knows a bit more."
His smile took on a sadder sheen as he continued, shaking his head and leaning slightly more forward in his chair. "I don't believe it's a matter of can and can't so much as... a lack of desire; comfort in familiarity, so to speak." Here, he sighed, though his voice growing a bit distant as his eyes gazed into the soft orange hue of the fire's light in the distant hearth. "Camaraderie is a curious thing. Most seem content to help those they deem dear while, as you said, ignoring the masses. There are many people within the city who may believe and behave differently, but for the most part, Ryn seem to help whomever is close, not necessarily those who need it most." He was no different; had Val not found herself inadvertently his direct responsibility, he would have had no qualms with leaving her behind as he'd made his own escape. There was no hint of guilt or regret in his words, merely a gentle contemplation accented with the slight lilt of self-acknowledgement.
"Ah, right. You must be quite worn." Doran shook his head in silent reprimand of himself as he smiled softly down at the weary expression of his companion. "If you mean to doze of in the common room, I'd suggest against it. Let's rent you a room at the very least." His turn to rise to his feet, he did so without the vigor Val had applied previously, though his motions were deliberate and unwavering as he waved the innkeeper over with a warm smile and nod of his head.
"Need something?"
"Yes, I believe our minds have changed, and my companion would like a room to wait out the rain, if possible." Doran drew out the appropriate payment and received a key in turn before the innkeeper moved to attend to another group of weary looking individuals who stumbled in through the door, rain still steadily falling outside. Extending the key towards Val with an encouraging grin, Doran offered his other to help her to her feet. "Better to rest your eyes behind a locked door."
